Woman delivers baby girl on roadside in Odisha, newborn dies

A woman delivered a baby girl on roadside in Khandapada area of Nayagarh district in Odisha due to delay in ambulance service yesterday. The newborn died later.

According to reports, the family of woman, Jhilli – wife of Kishore Dalei of Nuapalli in Baigunia panchayat under Bhapur block, had taken her to the Khandapada community hospital following the labour pain at around 2 pm yesterday. However, she was denied by the hospital employees to get admission in ward due to absence of the doctor-in-charge. They suggested the family to shift the patient to Nayagarh district headquarters hospital.

Waiting for 108 ambulance service, Jhilli’s family was forced to take her to the district hospital by an auto rickshaw. After she developed severe labour pain, she got down from auto at Kainthapalli chhak near Nandanban farm in Khandapada. Later, she delivered a baby girl on roadside.

Following delivery, both mother and newborn were admitted to district headquarters hospital where the baby was declared dead.

Even as crores of rupees are being spent under different schemes for secured motherhood and safe delivery in Odisha, the beneficiaries are away from the healthcare facilities. The alleged medical negligence and delay in ambulance service claimed another newborn’s life in the state.